GEOGRAPHY
MAKE YOUR MARK IN
GEOGRAPHY
Geography is all around us. It’s in the planning of the cities we live in, and in the management of the countryside we love. But more than that, it’s part of the way they are all connected. When flights are grounded here due to a volcanic eruption somewhere else in the world, it reminds us that the places thatour lives are effected by events happening elsewhere in the world, in places we may have never seen. As the world’s population continues to grow, along with our impact on the global climate, our world is becoming more fragile than ever before. As geographers we try to understand all these relationships, to see the world in detail and analyse our surroundings, and in understanding the world make it better. Governments, public bodies and companies around the world are increasingly looking to make their activities more sustainable, so if you have a passion for physical geography, human Janet Wright, Academic Group Leader, Geography
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geography or the environment, then this could be the ideal start to your career. Our Geography courses are run by enthusiastic experts, and can experience broad or specialised awards as part of a vibrant and supportive department. Fieldwork is central to all our awards, and we’re strong believers in applying the skills and knowledge you learn in the classroom out in the real world. All of our fieldwork costs are included within your tuition fees, including week-long UK and international residential field trips, as well as wide range of local field work. You’ll graduate equipped to work in a wide range of fields, with employable skills and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) training, a key advantage entering the world of work. Take a look at this guide to learn more about our courses, and the kind of career Geography can open up.
BSc (Hons) Geography UCAS code: F800
BSc (Hons) Physical Geography UCAS code: F840
BSc (Hons) Human Geography UCAS code: L700
BSc (Hons) Geography with Mountain Leadership UCAS code: F8X3
BSc (Hons) Geography Take a look at this course if you enjoy all aspects of geography, both physical and human. Teaching focuses on a broad range of topics from earth surface processes to societies and cities, and from glaciology to urban sustainability. You’ll get field trips to the Peak District, Liverpool, Cannock Chase, North Wales, and Barcelona. BSc (Hons) Physical Geography Take a look at this course if you are interested primarily in physical geography. Teaching focuses on earth surface processes, physical and environmental hazards, atmosphere and biosphere, and cold climate geomorphology and glaciology. You’ll get field trips to the Peak District, Cannock Chase, North Wales, and Barcelona. BA (Hons) Human Geography This course is for those who are interested primarily in human geography. Teaching focuses on societies and cities, urban sustainability, regeneration and planning, food and development, and global cities. You’ll get field trips to Liverpool, Salford Quays, the Peak District, North Wales, and Barcelona. BSc (Hons) Geography with Mountain Leadership This course is for those who combine an interest in geography with a love of the outdoors. This unique course combines a full BSc (Hons) degree in Geography with a Mountain Leader Award from the Mountain Training Association. Alongside your studies in physical geography, you’ll take a module in outdoor skills, involving a series of mountain days in Wales and the Lake District, as well as a residential training course and a residential assessment.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
CONTENTS: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 15
Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process
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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.
KEY FACTS WORK-READY, WORLD-READY
We’ll turn you into ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with just the kind of knowledge, qualities and expertise that employers are looking for.
INSPIRED TEACHING
Our staff are very enthusiastic about their subject, and will introduce you to a variety of teaching and learning techniques. As well as lectures, you’ll have practical sessions in our environmental laboratory, learn computer cartography and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in our state-of-the-art computer suites, and get out into the field to experience a range of locations.
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LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS
You’ll be learning from worldrenowned experts, who lead research in their fields. These include Globally renowned scholars in cold environmental geomorphology, natural and environmental hazards, cities and global networks, landscape and ecosystems management, and food and agriculture.
GET YOUR HANDS ON LIVE PROJECTS
You’ll get a range of opportunities to work on projects in the real world. These include work-placements with employers, and many of our past students have gone on to full-time jobs with their placement company.
FIRST CLASS SUPPORT
We’re a friendly, close-knit department with small class sizes, and we’ll make sure you’re well looked after every step of the way. And because you’ll be allocated a personal tutor, they will be there with advice and support whenever you need it.
FROM BANGOR TO BARCELONA
We love getting out into the field! In your three years with us, we’ll make sure there are lots of opportunities for field work, including residential trips to Barcelona, North Wales, the Peak District and Scotland.
SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT
In your final year you’ll be able to showcase your research at the annual GradEX event. Judged by professionals, this event is a great opportunity to show-off to a range of employers. Some of our students also present their research at the British Conference for Undergraduate Research.
REACH NEW HEIGHTS
Our Geography and Mountain Leadership programme gives you the opportunity to become Mountain Training Association accredited Mountain Leaders. Through an innovative program of lecture and field based learning, you can gain the leadership skills required to lead walkers in the mountains.
MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Our students love to make a difference, especially when it comes to the environment. In recent years, our students have played an active role in the use of renewable energy and the development of recycling facilities here at Staffordshire University.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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WHY STAFFS? COSTS INCLUDED
BE TAUGHT BY LEADING EXPERTS
STUDENT SUPPORT
Field work is our passion, and we believe it’s a crucial part of studying geography. We also believe that no student should miss out on fieldwork because they can’t afford it. That’s why, unlike most other departments, we don’t charge extra for fieldwork. All the costs, including travel, accommodation and food, will be covered by your tuition fees, so you can join us in the Peak District, North Wales, and Barcelona – as well as a wide range of local field days – without paying any extra costs.
Our teaching staff conduct research across many fields of geography. So you’ll be taught by world-leading experts in areas such as glaciology, natural hazards, landscape management, global networks, food and agriculture, and technologicalinteractions with the environment. Because they’re passionate and enthusiastic about their subject, you’ll even see our Professors in the classroom (unlike at some universities). Here at Staffordshire University, you’ll get lots of personal contact with all our experts in intimate class sizes, and a highly supportive environment.
Because our class sizes are small, you’ll receive excellent support and guidance, and you’ll benefit from close contact with your lecturers. We care about each and every one of our students and regularly meet on a one-to-one basis to review progress and offer advice. Doing this lets us to get to know you individually and offer learning that’s tailored to you and your needs.
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LOVE THE OUTDOORS If you love the outdoors, you’ll love studying at Staffordshire. Not only do we offer the unique BSc (Hons) Geography with Mountain Leadership award, but we are also within easy reach of the Peak District, North Wales, and the Lake District. Outside of formal fieldwork trips, our students often organise trips away. We have an active climbing club, as well as some excellent local indoor climbing walls.
BOOST YOUR EMPLOYABILITY We work hard with our students to ensure that they leave us in the best position possible to begin a career. Through your studies, you will build a wide range of work-ready skills, from writing reports to giving presentations. You’ll also take specialist modules in Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a key skill that many employers are looking for. From the public sector to private consultancy, from landscape management to urban planning, from teaching to environmental management, we’re proud to have such a high employability record in helping graduates launch all sorts of exciting careers.
LEADING FACILITIES Geography is located in the University’s Science Centre, and so has many excellent facilities on hand. In our large Environmental laboratory, you’ll learn a range of techniques for analysing the physical environment. In our state-of-the-art IT suites you’ll be able to learn Computer Cartography and Geographical Information Systems, as well as testing materials under a range of climatic and environmental conditions in our Environmental Chamber.
RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS We employ an innovative range of assessments throughout your studies, including essays, examinations and class-tests, poster presentations, reports, log-books, reflective diaries, data worksheets, oral presentations, video reports and web-page development. This helps make sure that each module learning outcome is tested in the most appropriate way, and get you ready for taking these skills into the professional world. The practical and skills based nature of our geography courses mean that the emphasis is on coursework, formal examinations and class-tests across all three levels.
HEAD FOR THE MOUNTAINS If you have a passion for adventure then you may want to apply for our BSC (Hons) Geography with Mountain Leadership. As part of your course you’ll undergo training and assessment courses for the Summer Mountain Leader award administered by Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE). This award will allow you to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the UK and Ireland as part of your future career.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE
“The Geography department at Staffordshire University offers a welcoming and close-working environment; the small classes allowed me to form strong connections with both students and staff, and this really set me up for academic success. The lecturers are so invested in providing a thorough learning experience, and the level of effort they put in to organising the substantial amount of fieldwork we undertook over the three years is something that I am extremely grateful for. The course itself was flexible, and being able to explore modules that spanned Physical and Human Geography helped me find the direction in which I wanted to take my studies, as well as facilitating a better-rounded knowledge base. As someone who always struggled with confidence in school, I felt completely supported at Staffordshire. As a result, my belief in my capabilities soared, and I am now embarking on a PhD in Cultural Geography at the University of Bristol.” Freya Johnson, BSc (Hons) Geography
“I instantly loved the idea of studying Geography at Staffordshire University because of how friendly and welcoming all the staff were. Throughout the course all of the lecturers were so supportive and caring. The choice of modules on offer meant that I could specialise in my areas of interest whilst being able to gain a good breadth of knowledge. The mixture of seminars, lectures and tutorials meant that I got a variety of teaching styles meaning I felt comfortable to complete assignments to the best of my ability Alicia Clarke, BSc (Hons) Geography
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Dr Ruth Swetnam is Associate Professor of Geography and leads our teaching of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She is a Chartered GIS specialist and has over 20 years’ experience of applying GIS to applied environmental issues both in the UK and across the world. She is research active, with strong links to conservation organisations including the RSPB, World Wildlife Fund and the Tropical Biology Association and has conducted research across Europe and East Africa. At Staffordshire University she leads projects concerned with the mapping of landscape quality and cultural ecosystem services as well as supervising research students working on urban ecology. Wherever possible, she involves her undergraduate students in research placements. Our Science Centre has industry-standard GIS software and Ruth aims to equip all our geography and environment students with the digital mapping and spatial analysis skills demanded by employers.
Taken on the Miner’s Path, Snowdon in North Wales during field course with second year students investigating the history of glaciation in the area.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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A BETTER CAMPUS
AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.
In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students. But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is. This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be
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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built. What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus. The best of both worlds. So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus. We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms. Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University. As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.
This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want. Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date. So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.
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CHOOSE
MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.
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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse
MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games
At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away. Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too. So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.
A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.
University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around. That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you. We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop. You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk. Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.
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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here. Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.
LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT
www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS
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CLEARING
The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.
MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?
Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July. Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.
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